"D" the Ranter is Colorado's #1 Multi-sport MLBlogger. The Rant is written from a fan's perspective and you can count on "D" to tell you exactly how it is. Tried and Tested…There's a reason the Rant kicks ass in Colorado.

Next Time Put Up a Sign

I know nothing of the ins and outs of the Peoria Sports Complex. All I can do is tell you about what happened on “this” particular day. It started out great, Mike and I showed up early and the Rockies were out on the field taking batting practice. For about 10 minutes it was only Mike and I watching and I kept thinking “How cool is this, it’s just us”. Seconds after that thought, Mike and I were approached by Security and were told that this was a “private” batting practice and we were in a restricted area.

I knew it was too good to be true. What sucks is it wasn’t posted anywhere that we couldn’t be there, no signs.

What Security didn’t know is Mike and I each had snagged a ball before they showed up.

After a quick departure I kept exploring and stumbled across a row of what seemed to be deserted batting cages. They looked like they were accessible to the public as there were no signs stating otherwise. I spotted a few “easter eggs” on the ground so my happy ass wandered in there.

As I was bending over to pick up the “easter egg” I over heard some guy carrying a leaf blower say “Hey, are you supposed to be back here”.

At this point I’m embarrassed and getting irked so I said “You can wander all of the spring train facilities and pick up loose baseballs, that’s exactly what I’m doing until you just informed me I wasn’t supposed to be here.”

Leafblower dude agreed, backed off me and I continued to wander, just not by the batting cages. Had I not stopped and tried to pick up the baseball, Leaf blower dude probably would have ignored me and kept blowing…My eager bad.

Peoria…If you don’t want me in there exploring…PUT UP A SIGN.

We continued our search for batting practice and all we found were locked gates.

Look at this spot. If the gate were unlocked you could snag baseballs from both fields.

Nope big lock on there. Same with the next one. What a beautiful spot, wasted.

At this point it’s over an hour before game time and we’re forced to stand and hope for foul balls.

Sorry Peoria but that’s lame. We knew for a fact there would be no batting practice inside so the one ball I managed to snag from the Rockies “private” batting practice would be the only one of the day. I hate that 😦

On a very cool note, we ran into Huston Street and he autographed a ball and posed for a picture.

Time to head into the Stadium.

Here’s Mike the Rox Addict proving he’s a rebel.

Still bummed at the lack of batting practice Mike and I decided to take our chances at the pitching cages.

I call this set “Been caught stealing”

Still determined to take another baseball home from this place I gave this bad boy a shot.

It wouldn’t budge and I couldn’t find a crow bar.

Eventually I wandered over to the Rockies dugout. The first player out to warm-up was “The Duece”

Duece warmed up for a few minutes then exited without signing for anyone. That didn’t faze me, what fazed me was a few minutes later Duece came out and signed for everyone in the front row including me, on the sweet spot.

Thanks Tulo!

Here’s a few pictures of the Rockies pregame.

Here’s Pacheco and EY Jr flashing the Ranter sign.

Again this game I didn’t take any action shots in hopes of catching a game home run. In hindsight, I should have taken the pictures.

Check out the Rox Addict’s blog if you’d like to see some of the action shots.

Rockies lose to the Padres 10-6.

So the day was a bust. Well not totally, look what I managed to snag. I looked but I didn’t see a sign saying I couldn’t take it.

We left it parked at the In n Out Burger.

Damn good burger.

I’m “D” The Ranter and maybe it’s just me but Peoria seemed kinda stingy with their baseballs.